General Discussion

leveymg

(36,418 posts)

91. It was actually a very sad time for him.

Thu Sep 24, 2015, 05:25 PM

Sep 2015

Bob Drinan was under mounting pressure from the Vatican and conservative American Bishops to resign from Congress. My job in Drinan's office was largely to clip editorials in the National Catholic Reporter and America magazine attacking him for his pro-choice stance and his defense of Latin American clerics who had embraced Liberation Theology. A lot of what found its way into mainstream Catholic press was really hateful, and I didn't enjoy reading and delivering those clippings to him.

It wasn't easy being a leading progressive in a Church that was as polarized then as Congress is today.

Father Drinan was an amazingly courageous and upbeat human being. He had a strong faith that what he was doing was consistent with his duties to both institutions, but he was on a terribly high rope. There were a bunch of amazing people on Capitol Hill and among the progressive DC Catholics who worked with him. John Kerry was one of them. There still are. It was my honor to be there.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

123 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The Pope stopped to shake the hand of only one as he walked down the aisle... [View all] Drunken Irishman Sep 2015 OP

K&R... spanone Sep 2015 #1

protocol to a head of state roguevalley Sep 2015 #17

But Kerry was refused communion Motown_Johnny Sep 2015 #33

A new Pope makes all the difference. nt sybylla Sep 2015 #34

THIS new pope makes all the difference. Baitball Blogger Sep 2015 #37

Maybe that's why the Pope stopped to shake his hand lunatica Sep 2015 #60

I'd like to think it's a signal to the culture warriors in the church. bklyncowgirl Sep 2015 #99

According to Daily Kos... ImaPolitico Sep 2015 #114

So, I wonder if THIS Pope will start denying communion to politicians who vote to cut foodstamps TrollBuster9090 Sep 2015 #96

Never in his home parish. It was that idiot Burke in his diocese threatening it. rug Sep 2015 #108

I don't think it's got anything to do with Kerry's pro-choice position - that's still a negative in progree Sep 2015 #115

Cardinal Burke said that he would refuse to give communion to Kerry Fortinbras Armstrong Sep 2015 #118

Kerry isn't the head of state. jeff47 Sep 2015 #67

Maybe the Pope is aware that Kerry won the 2004 presidential election. He very well might be. Enthusiast Sep 2015 #69

... YvonneCa Sep 2015 #71

K n R!!!!!!! mylye2222 Sep 2015 #73

Then his second term would have ended in 2012. jeff47 Sep 2015 #75

He'd still be called, 'Mr President'. Joe Chi Minh Sep 2015 #81

As would President Edwards Bucky Sep 2015 #90

Huh? cui bono Sep 2015 #92

John Edwards. Kerry's VP running mate. Have you really forgotten him? Bucky Sep 2015 #109

Wow. Yeah, I did forget he was the running mate! cui bono Sep 2015 #110

Right after he dropped out of the Obama-Clinton shoot out in 2008. Before the election tho, I think Bucky Sep 2015 #120

Of course not. But the Pope is. Beartracks Sep 2015 #79

Yes, but the poster I replied to seemed to be saying Kerry was a head of state. (nt) jeff47 Sep 2015 #87

I must not have been clear. Protocol to a head of state. Head diplomat greets roguevalley Sep 2015 #112

I know that Pope Francis and Kerry have met before Fortinbras Armstrong Sep 2015 #119

I noticed that too mcar Sep 2015 #2

Do you think he actually knows who Roberts (or any other "villian") is? Stinky The Clown Sep 2015 #13

He's pretty savvy mcar Sep 2015 #18

Respectfully, it is, at best, wishful thinking. Stinky The Clown Sep 2015 #20

I'm quite sure w0nderer Sep 2015 #30

Should I interpet your comment as saying the pope intentionally turned his back to Roberts? Stinky The Clown Sep 2015 #31

you probably should not interpret at all w0nderer Sep 2015 #35

Thanks for sharing a snippet of your obviously vast knowledge of how this pope operates Stinky The Clown Sep 2015 #39

Do unto others... alcibiades_mystery Sep 2015 #64

i'd bet money he knows exactly what he's doing madokie Sep 2015 #50

Briefibg books jmowreader Sep 2015 #56

people don't want to hear the truth about real politik (unfortunately) n/t w0nderer Sep 2015 #62

Well, he's pretty savvy so why not? lunatica Sep 2015 #61

i think he knows since those concerned with US politics JI7 Sep 2015 #72

Well he and the other three SCJs wore robes - which kind of set them apart. karynnj Sep 2015 #77

Because Kerry is SoS maxsolomon Sep 2015 #89

Do you think he'll threaten to ex-communicate Scalia for trying to take peoples' healthcare away? TrollBuster9090 Sep 2015 #100

Doubt it too mcar Sep 2015 #103

Is that Kerry? treestar Sep 2015 #3

Yes (nt) bigwillq Sep 2015 #5

It's Fred Gwynne. I'm not sure who invited him, though. Maybe Obama was a fan of The Munsters? TrollBuster9090 Sep 2015 #101

What's a Yute? rpannier Sep 2015 #104

Yes, absolutely! :) nt TrollBuster9090 Sep 2015 #105

lol! treestar Sep 2015 #121

Oh - that is really sweet. Glimmer of Hope Sep 2015 #4

It is possible that is because he knows Kerry, but no one else, reasonably well Stinky The Clown Sep 2015 #6

That's a good explanation. n/t geardaddy Sep 2015 #7

That's what I thought as well. nt Fla Dem Sep 2015 #26

Kerry negotiating the most significant peace pact in decades deserves some more notice. Fred Sanders Sep 2015 #8

+1 Person 2713 Sep 2015 #23

Of course, this is why the Pope would go out of his way, if he had to, to shake that hand randys1 Sep 2015 #52

+1! Enthusiast Sep 2015 #70

I think they only met once at the Vatican karynnj Sep 2015 #12

Since I'm merely human, I took pleasure that he passed by John ROBERTS without missing a beat UTUSN Sep 2015 #15

Agree, Stinky. I don't think he'd intentionally turn his gateley Sep 2015 #16

I agree. TNNurse Sep 2015 #27

I would tend to agree. hamsterjill Sep 2015 #43

Agree. nt No Vested Interest Sep 2015 #86

This is, of course, the reason. Some people will pick on anything. WinkyDink Sep 2015 #98

that was really nice and it was clearly the Pope karynnj Sep 2015 #9

Great moment I thought... chillfactor Sep 2015 #10

Congress was instructed to NOT touch The Pope. bunnies Sep 2015 #11

protocol most likely as sec of state welcoming roguevalley Sep 2015 #14

Note that there was a specific effort made to prevent members from interacting with the Pope... PoliticAverse Sep 2015 #19

The Cuba treaty. SCVDem Sep 2015 #21

yes both the Obama admin and catholic church wanted open relations with Cuba again JI7 Sep 2015 #74

Congress was told .. LannyDeVaney Sep 2015 #22

however, the Pope initiated the hand shake karynnj Sep 2015 #25

Agree. And it was really nice to... YvonneCa Sep 2015 #54

This country has no class Facility Inspector Sep 2015 #57

I don't know who you're watching. I've seen just the opposite. nolabear Sep 2015 #58

The Pope is here to speak peace to congress... Stellar Sep 2015 #24

I noticed that - and was impressed! George II Sep 2015 #28

The two share a common ground. Both speak French. KansDem Sep 2015 #29

American? What native language do you speak. Just kiddng you a little. olegramps Sep 2015 #59

Knowing that Cardinal Burke denied Kerry communion rateyes Sep 2015 #32

Great choice! Omaha Steve Sep 2015 #36

"God Bless America" lostnfound Sep 2015 #38

So, shall We Now Sing Our Praises To This Pope As The Media Is Doing? NonMetro Sep 2015 #40

The right trashes 90% of what the pope says, so they decided to let him guest speak? dakota_democrat Sep 2015 #45

Yes he MUST evolve on Gay rights & Women's rights if he wants randys1 Sep 2015 #55

Blessed are the peacemakers... Johnyawl Sep 2015 #41

This was very appropriate thing for the Pope to do Gothmog Sep 2015 #42

Who on DU wouldn't turn their back on John Roberts, given the chance? nt valerief Sep 2015 #44

Indeed. John Roberts is a tool of the oligarchy. senz Sep 2015 #66

K&R eom Duval Sep 2015 #46

The very same man Gman Sep 2015 #47

This actually makes me quite happy. Xyzse Sep 2015 #48

The Chosen One. nt TeamPooka Sep 2015 #49

This is a hell of a visual for the Iran deal. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2015 #51

Good point. n/t senz Sep 2015 #63

Blessed are the peacemakers and whatnot... Scurrilous Sep 2015 #76

Liberal Jesus Johnny2X2X Sep 2015 #53

Happy to see him shake Kerry's hand senz Sep 2015 #65

People need to remember he is a political leader Fearless Sep 2015 #68

To Secretary Kerry and millions of others, he is also a spiritual leader karynnj Sep 2015 #78

The point is, he approves of the Iran deal, that's why Kerry was singled out Fearless Sep 2015 #80

I agree - and you can throw in the work Kerry did on the climate pact with China and on Cuba karynnj Sep 2015 #83

Do you know if Cong Fr. Robert Drinan met the future Pope Francis in Argentina? leveymg Sep 2015 #84

Interesting, but I have no idea whether Drinan ever met the Pope karynnj Sep 2015 #85

It was actually a very sad time for him. leveymg Sep 2015 #91

The man that should have been POTUS in 2004. Rex Sep 2015 #82

Agreed... MrMickeysMom Sep 2015 #116

K&R. JDPriestly Sep 2015 #88

But the pope isn't supposed to be political. Even though he is the head of a state. n/t ion_theory Sep 2015 #93

He's coming to those opinions from a moral source. alfredo Sep 2015 #106

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." TrollBuster9090 Sep 2015 #94

ugh...Kissinger in the second pew at St. Patricks hibbing Sep 2015 #95

Maybe the Pope recognized Kerry flying_wahini Sep 2015 #97

Gotta move quickly lest the demons jump from the republican side rpannier Sep 2015 #102

Glad to see His Holiness getting some love here at DU! n/t SylviaD Sep 2015 #107

Kerry should become the next Pope JI7 Sep 2015 #111

Wait you're not to take communion if you're pro-choice? mackerel Sep 2015 #113

K&R nt lillypaddle Sep 2015 #117

I LOVE this pic! Cali_Democrat Sep 2015 #122

Sorry for the late reply... mimi85 Sep 2015 #123